Sparkly Pine Redux

Here is my CASE of Kelli Lichentenberg's Regionals swap card, which I absolutely love.  Now that I know how to use Dazzling Diamonds, I thought I should try my hand at making my own.  How do they compare?

For this, I used Old Olive Craft ink, which is much thicker and stickier than the Classic ink pads, so I didn't need Versamark at all.  I dusted the Heat and Stick powder over the Old Olive tree, heated it, dusted everything with Dazzling Diamonds, and heated it again for a shine that won't rub off.  After I finished that, I realized that Kelli must have used a different adhesive on her card, since the color of the tree shines through more brightly in her version.  All the same, I really like how this turned out, and it was very simple to do!

The finishing touches are nearly the same as Kelli's--Serene Snowflakes in Old Olive on Whisper White, then embossed using the Big Shot and Square Lattice embossing folder.  The only alteration to her great layout that I made was to inch the tree a little higher, and use the Modern Label punch to pop out my sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

I hope you're ready for Christmas!  Today's bingo piece is the yellow bell.  Good luck!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Serene Snowflakes, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Old Olive, Old Olive Craft
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White
Extras: Heat and Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, heat tool, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Modern Label punch

Sparkles from the Loft

I spent a few hours today at the Loft, and they were jam-packed with stamping fun!  Every time I visit, I come armed with a list of new things I want to see, try, and learn.  At the top of my list this time was Dazzling Diamonds, because I so loved the look of the fabulous sparkling pine card from regionals.

Check out that sparkle!!  Dazzling Diamonds really delivers the bling, and it is very easy to do.  For this card, we first stamped the focal piece with Serene Snowflakes in Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, and Basic Grey, then inked the entire piece with Versamark.  Next, we coated the piece with Heat and Stick powder (another great adhesive option), and used the heat tool to warm it.  TIP: You just need it warm enough that the colors look bright--don't go too far or you'll singe the paper!

Next, we coated the paper with Dazzling Diamonds and used the heat tool to reheat the Heat and Stick powder and adhere the diamonds to the paper.  That's all!  Unlike using glue and glitter, this won't come off your card...but it sure does shine!

Today's Bingo piece is the spearmint.  Good luck!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes
Ink: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey, Versamark
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey, Whisper White
Extras: Heat and Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds, heat tool, Pink Pirouette taffeta ribbon

Festive Pine

Here's another swap card from the Baltimore Regional--this one was made by Kelli Lichtenberg, and it's a monochromatic beauty!  And do you see that sparkle on the tree?  Kelli used something I haven't had the courage to try yet--Dazzling Diamands--and it really paid off!

This simple card uses Old Olive and Whisper White paper, three stamp sets (Serene Snowflakes, Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations) and embossing with the Big Shot and square lattice folder for the textured snowflake base--I just love how this makes the white layers look different.  She punched her greeting with the wide oval punch, and those are all the secrets.

Who's been saying "c'mon figure skate"?  Today's your lucky day--our next bingo piece is the figure skate.  Good luck!

Cheers!
~Melanie

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White,
Extras: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Heat and Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds, heat tool, Wide Oval punch

Kiran's Holiday Cards for 2010

I realize I'm revealing the cards before they go out, but just look at them!  Can you blame me?!?!  Last year, I used the Medallion and this year I've been dying to use Dasher.  He's just so regal and elegant looking in his pose, isn't he?  I added some extra sparkle (snowflakes coming off his antlers) thanks to Serene Snowflakes and combined it with the gorgeous sentiment from Many Merry Messages, this card is a stunner!  I think the "snow" vellum is the perfect finishing touch.

I really wanted a holiday card this year that wasn't red or blue or green and was still distinctive and elegant.  I think I accomplished my goal, don't you?

Happy Stamping!
~Kiran

Stamp: Dasher, Many Merry Messages, Serene Snowflakes
Ink: Versa
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Vellum
Extras: Gold embossing powder, heat embossing tool